Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dr. Casey Guthmiller, Founder of Running4U, located in Denver, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Precision Nutrition L1 Nutrition Coach, and UESCA Running Coach. I combine these three accreditations to work with beginner runners online to help them run longer, stronger, faster, and healthier - all while simultaneously accomplishing their health and wellness goals - weight loss, increased energy, etc. My typical client is a busy adult who is a self-described "beginner runner" who wants to set up a foundation of strong, healthy running for the rest of their lives - and build their healthiest lifestyle along the way!
Tell us about yourself
I saw a gap that I wanted to fill between physical therapists, running coaches, and nutrition coaches. Most beginner runners list "health" and "weight loss" as a reason they start to run. While this is great, many problems typically arise when they embark on doing so. Injuries pop up. Questions on exactly how to eat to fuel themselves on their runs or to promote weight loss pop up. Confusion on exactly how to run - how long, how often, how hard - pops up. So, as a physical therapist, I help beginner runners stay healthy and avoid injury. As a nutrition coach, I come up with an individualized plan (collaboratively) to help them reach their unique goals and feel at their very best. And as a running coach, I devise an intricate, individualized plan to help them run longer, stronger, and faster. Essentially, my goal is to serve as a "one-stop shop" where all factors are addressed so those beginner runners can achieve the best possible results in the least amount of time - and going further - be set up to know exactly how to continually improve in their running & health for the rest of their lives.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The results I get my clients. My greatest satisfaction is easily seeing them reach their goals and being elated with the results they've achieved.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
I wasn't a business major in college - so I've had to learn a lot of the "businessy" things on the fly. I don't particularly like the sales call - where I talk with prospective clients - for fear of coming off as "salesy." My client satisfaction rate is 100% (so far, at least) - so in an ideal world, everyone would know beforehand exactly who I am and exactly what I do, & feel a strong certainty that I will provide them with what they need to get results - so that way we could skip the sales call and we could just jump right into things. But there is a component of having to "sell yourself" to prospective clients to let them know all you will do for them and how you will help them.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Just start. At some point, you'll have to stop planning and just take the first step.
- Know your personal "why" behind why you want to start a business. If you don't have this, it will be very easy to quit.
- Hiring a coach with experience to help get you going will probably save you a lot of time down the road. I wish I had done this right away!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.running-4u.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r4ucoaching/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/r4ucoaching
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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